Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.
Kerrits logo on the Pro Fleece Cross Over Fullseat Breeches - Photo by Lorraine Peachey
At this point in the year, it’s all about staying warm for me. As someone who tends to run cold, I’m on a constant quest for finding attire to wear that is both warm and comfortable. I sometimes joke that I must be ‘cold blooded’, since I feel like I’m eternally freezing pretty much All. Season. Long.
Unfortunately, combatting the (extreme) cold sometimes means forgoing pieces of my wardrobe that I absolutely love. Jeans, for example, are a staple piece in my wardrobe. I’d basically live in a broken in, comfy pair of jeans most of the time if I could. Facing the music is tough though, because jeans are just not warm. They just aren’t.
A good substitute that I’ve started to favor this season have been pointe pants. While I steadfastly stick by my opinion that leggings are not (and should never be worn as) pants, I’ve really become quite attached to my pointe pants. Even though they are similar to leggings, they are made of heavier fabric – and because they are both warm and SUPER comfortable, I find myself trading in my jeans in favor of pointe pants on extra chilly days.
Keeping warm at the barn tends to be even more challenging – and I tend to have to get creative in order to try to not freeze. This includes, but is not limited to: putting on some Luke Bryan so that I can have a mini dance party while mucking. Wearing layers, layers…and more layers. And when all else fails, I won’t hesitate to resort to sticking my hands down under one of my horses’ blankets.
I really like that the ‘Cross Over’ breeches have a tailored front-zip styling. Because it just gives them a nice, crisp, appearance – so even when I’m riding on cold weather, I can maintain a clean and tailored look – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
But a good place to start when preparing to battle the cold for an extended period of time is to pull on some nice and warm clothing layers. After all, selecting functional layers that are both warm and breathable is sensible. Because my goal is to stay on the toasty side, but not overheat and sweat–as that just leads to catching a chill, which defeats the whole purpose.
Whether I’m getting ready to head out to ride, or just get my barn work done in the cold temperatures, one of the first things that I tend to reach for is a nice pair of winter riding tights or breeches.
As I’ve said, jeans just don’t cut it in the cold temperatures. And fleece pants? Around hay? Yeah…didn’t take me long to figure out that one was a terribly bad idea.
I’ve found that wearing winter riding breeches in chilly temperatures just works out really well for me. They tend to offer the great barn-friendly properties of regular breeches, and then some. So this winter season, I’ve spending time riding in the Pro Fleece Cross Over Fullseat breeches from Kerrits.
One of the first things that made the Pro Fleece Cross Over breeches apart for me is that face that they styled very much like traditional, everyday breeches. While I do like pull-up style breeches and tights that feature a stretchy elastic waistband in the winter time, I really like that the ‘Cross Over’ breeches have a tailored front-zip styling. Because it just gives them a nice, crisp, appearance – so even when I’m riding on cold weather, I can maintain a clean and tailored look.
Riding in comfortable, warm breeches that still have a nice and tailored look? Yes, please! – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
When I picked up the pair of Pro Fleece Cross Over breeches for the first time, I noticed how nice the fabric felt. The breeches are constructed with Dynamic Extreme fabric, which feels like it offers a light amount of stretch–in fact, it is a four-way stretch fabric to allow for freedom of movement. The fabric itself is designed to wick moisture away from the skin, and also be fast-drying as well. Plus, it is also built to be tough and abrasion resistant.
In the case of the Fleece Cross Over breeches, the Dynamic Extreme fabric also is backed with fleece to provide warmth. And while they have a tailored front-zip styling, the breeches also feature an internal plush elastic at the waistline. Which I really noticed right off the bat when I tried them on. The elastic helped to provide a comfortable, fitted-but-not-too-snug fit for me.
The Dynamic Extreme fabric was also smooth to the touch, and if offers riders wind, water and stain resistant technology. The styling of the breeches also includes two front flat pockets, as well as belt loops. The full seat design is Kerrit’s own unique and immediately recognizable styling – and it is constructed out of a perforated Nubuck.
Nubuck provides the look and feel of leather, without actually requiring the additional care of leather. It has a medium level of grip, and the stretch backing provides a light layer of support while offer wicking properties. The Nubuck also is perforated in order to provide enhanced breathability. And my favorite part–the breeches with the Nubuck fabric can be tossed in the washer and dryer (just make sure to machine wash with cold water and tumble dry low).
Even in below-freezing temperatures, the Fleece Cross Over breeches took the chill off the cold. The fabric provides just the right combination by blocking the wind, and providing me with warmth (thank you, fleece lining) – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
The Fleece Cross Over breeches fit nice and comfortably when I pull them on, and I find that I like the slight stretch of the fabric. I also like that the fleece lining felt soft against my skin. Plus, even with the fleece, the breeches do not feel like they are overly bulky. And I find that they pull on a little easier with the stretch panels that are located at the lower inside of each leg.
Even in below-freezing temperatures, the Fleece Cross Over breeches took the chill off the cold. Riding in the cold and wind turned out to be not so big of a deal – I’m not saying that I wanted to go out in a t shirt or anything, but wearing the breeches paired with proper layers and outerwear helped to keep me powering on through the cold enough to enjoy my ride. The fabric provides just the right combination by blocking the wind, and providing me with warmth (thank you, fleece lining).
I even find that the Pro Fleece Cross Over breeches are well suiting for getting my barn chores done. Again, I’m grateful to the fleece lining for helping to prevent my legs from getting a chill. But the fabric also does a great job at standing up to the rigors of the barn.
Splashing water against the breeches when carrying water buckets? Not a big deal – it seems to bead up, and is easy to brush off so I’m not soaked. Brushing into the stall walls or fence posts? No problem, because the fabric still looks great, thanks to the abrasion resistance. And–hay brushes right off, so that’s a big plus.
Riding in comfortable, warm breeches that still have a nice and tailored look? Yes, please! The Pro Fleece Cross Over breeches from Kerrits are available in tan, shale (gray), midnight, and black, and they retail for $139.00. You can find them here.
Go Warm & Comfortable Breeches (With a Tailored Look!). Go Kerrits. Go Eventing.
